It is with regret that we have to inform you of the passing, Today, of John Marcelle

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A funeral service will be held on Tuesday 24th January 2017 at 11:00 am, at South Essex Crematorium, Ockendon Road, Upminster, RM14 2UY. All are welcome.

Family flowers only please. Donations in John’s memory will go to St Dunstan’s (Blind Veterans UK). A collection will be taken at the service, or donations may be sent via the Funeral Directors, Coop Funeral Care, 90 Dagenham Road, Rush Green, Romford, RM7 0TJ.

A reception will be held afterwards at The Royal British Legion, 54 Weston Road, Romford, RM1 3LP. Parking is available on site.

John is survived by his children Sandra, Tony and Nicholas. Should you wish to write, Sandra’s address is:

Sandra Hammond24 Lincoln AvenueRush GreenRomfordRM7 0SR

The family plan to inter John’s ashes into the Regimental Columbarium on Sunday 12th November 2017.To assist with planning, please inform HHQ if you are attending the funeral. Telephone: 01962 828539 or Email: RACHQ-KRH-HHQ-N-AdminOffr@mod.uk.

Dear old 'Drag Arse', FEPD (four eyed poison dwarf) or what ever else people called Johnny Marcelle to me he was a friend ever since I stopped hating him. Shortly after I joined the JLR he took over as our SSM and boy was that an eye-opener. We all thought he was the meanest SOAB on the planet; he was rumoured to make people march until blood flowed out of the lace-holes in their boots. It was only when our own Brian Draper had a serious accident and Johnny took us to visit Brian in hospital that I saw a human being behind the uniform. It still took some years for us to strike up a real friendship. When I was involved in 'overseas security' Johnny's name was on everyone's tongue. He had been tasked to rescue some Arab who had been kidnapped and, as anyone who knew him would expect, he fulfilled his mission with bravur'a. The Arab wanted to honour Johnny accordingly and arranged a marriage for Johnny to his most precious daughter. This was not something that Johnny was keen on and so he did a bunk and had to lay low for a couple of years. In more recent years I was glad to be able to lend him my support in his own never ending support of our troops in the far flung corners of the world. What a guy, he got more Junior Leaders to join the 14/20th than anyone else I can think of. A HAWK through and through !

Where ever he has gone to, I do not doubt that he will be moulding a squadron, turning boys into men and men into soldiers. RiP old friend.

It is with sadness that we inform you of the death of WO2 John Michael Marcelle on Sunday 8th January 2017, aged 85.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday 24th January 2017 at 11:00 am, at South Essex Crematorium, Ockendon Road, Upminster, RM14 2UY. All are welcome.

Family flowers only please. Donations in John’s memory will go to St Dunstan’s (Blind Veterans UK). A collection will be taken at the service, or donations may be sent via the Funeral Directors, Coop Funeral Care, 90 Dagenham Road, Rush Green, Romford, RM7 0TJ.

A reception will be held afterwards at The Royal British Legion, 54 Weston Road, Romford, RM1 3LP. Parking is available on site.

John is survived by his children Sandra, Tony and Nicholas. Should you wish to write, Sandra’s address is:

Sandra Hammond24 Lincoln AvenueRush GreenRomfordRM7 0SR

The family plan to inter John’s ashes into the Regimental Columbarium on Sunday 12th November 2017.

As we all know a little man with a big mouth but above all a colossal heart and genuine human being who even suffering blindness still found space to help others during his latter years, will miss him at the reunions.RIP old Hawk.